Abstract

Urea–formaldehyde (UF), melamine–formaldehyde (MF), and melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives are described in this chapter. UF, MF, and MUF chemistry and reaction mechanisms and their principles and main preparation parameters are reported. Application parameters, characteristics, and performance of these adhesives for plywood, particleboard, and glulam and fingerjointing, as well as their upgrading technologies, are presented. Formaldehyde emission and the technologies used for its limitation are discussed. The new field of biobased urea and melamine adhesives is presented and its advantages, drawbacks, limitations, and upgrading systems are presented and discussed.